MONTREAL LAKE CREE NATION — A $16-million RCMP detachment is moving ahead on Montreal Lake Cree Nation, with leaders saying the long-awaited project will strengthen policing services and deepen ties between officers and the community.
Leaders from Montreal Lake Cree Nation, the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Saskatchewan RCMP gathered June 10 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site on Highway 969, about 100 kilometres north of Prince Albert.
Construction of the detachment, funded by the federal and provincial governments, is expected to be completed in March 2027, according to the Montreal Lake Cree Nation news release.
"This is an important milestone for Montreal Lake Cree Nation," said Chief Joyce Naytowhow-McLeod. "The new RCMP detachment will support community safety, strengthen emergency response and help ensure our members have access to policing services closer to home."
According to the Saskatchewan RCMP, the approximately 10,000-square-foot facility will provide dedicated space for victim services, interviews, community gatherings, secure firearm storage and prisoner holding cells.
The new detachment will replace the current facility, which Saskatchewan RCMP say lacks adequate space for several policing functions.
"The current building hosting Montreal Lake RCMP officers does not provide adequate space to lodge prisoners, interview witnesses, offer victim services, or maintain records," Saskatchewan RCMP said in a statement to SaskToday.
As a result, officers have sometimes been required to travel to Waskesiu to perform those duties.
Saskatchewan RCMP said the new detachment will eliminate that need, allowing officers to remain in the community for longer periods.
"With a new detachment in Montreal Lake Cree Nation, officers will no longer need to travel to Waskesiu to perform these duties and will be able to spend more time in the community," the RCMP said.
"Currently, we do not expect the new detachment in Montreal Lake Cree Nation to lead to the posting of more officers. If additional officers are required in the future, the new facility will be spacious enough to accommodate them," Saskatchewan RCMP said.
Nine RCMP officers currently serve Montreal Lake Cree Nation and Waskesiu Lake, with five living on the Nation and four based in Waskesiu.
Once the new building is completed, Montreal Lake Cree Nation will become the host detachment and Waskesiu Lake will move to sub-detachment status, according to the Saskatchewan RCMP.
Sgt. René Giroux, detachment commander for Waskesiu/Montreal Lake RCMP, said the building is intended to strengthen ties between officers and residents.
"We're not just starting construction on a building. We're breaking ground on a modern, welcoming space where community members can report crime, connect with officers, and continue to strengthen community partnerships."
Staff Sgt. Richard Tonge, acting North District commander for the Saskatchewan RCMP, said the facility represents another step in the ongoing partnership between the RCMP and the community.
"Without strong relationships and collaboration, we cannot create meaningful and lasting change," said Tonge. "The new detachment is another step forward in strengthening that partnership by providing a welcoming and safe place for community members to connect with our officers."
RCMP officials noted that emergency response times will continue to depend on the nature and urgency of calls, as well as the volume of incidents occurring at any given time. However, they said the new location will provide residents with easier access to policing services.
The detachment will also feature cultural design elements, including mural artwork and a dedicated room for trauma support, prayer and healing.
Chief Naytowhow-McLeod said the project reflects years of advocacy and collaboration aimed at improving safety and well-being in the community.
"Our Nation has continued to speak up for the safety and well-being of our people," she said. "This new detachment is part of building the infrastructure our community needs today and for future generations."
The $16-million project is jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, with the RCMP overseeing construction. EllisDon Corporation is serving as contractor and Republic Architecture as project director.
The current RCMP office, which is owned by Montreal Lake Cree Nation, will remain operational until the new detachment opens. Once officers relocate, the First Nation will determine the building's future use.
